Hi Friends,
Need some confirmation/clarification on H1-B1 re-validation and stamping.
My H1B1 was stamped on my passport and valid until 10-Feb-04 and same date was mentioned on my I-94 card as "Valid Until Date". Then I filed for H1B1 extention and got the approval notice in Oct'03 (validity 4-Mar-05).
Sent for visa stamping to St-Louise and got the passport back in Jul-04 with Visa stamped but they left the original I-94 attached to the passport. They sent the original (new) I-797 along with the new I-94 (bottom right part) still attached to it but with no date stamp ("Valid Until Date").
So now I have two I-94, (old) one stapled to my passport with expired dates and the second (new) still attached to new I-797 but with no dates on it.
Now I want to apply for 7th year extention but my employer informed me that the attorney has raised concern over the date on my I-94 being expired and no valid dates stamped on my new I-94. According to the attorney I should first go to India and come back so that I have an I-94 with valid dates on it... otherwise it is risky business.... (Visit to Canada or Maxico does not get you new I-94). Also, I am told that there is no premium processing available for 7th year extention so I must wait for 3-4 months after applying before I know how did it go.
1) Do I really need to make a visit to India ? I have all old I-797s and other documents so I really don't see why ?
2) Is premium processing available for 7th year extention (like regular extention) ?
I would really appreciate a response on these questions.
Thank you very much.
Need some confirmation/clarification on H1-B1 re-validation and stamping.
My H1B1 was stamped on my passport and valid until 10-Feb-04 and same date was mentioned on my I-94 card as "Valid Until Date". Then I filed for H1B1 extention and got the approval notice in Oct'03 (validity 4-Mar-05).
Sent for visa stamping to St-Louise and got the passport back in Jul-04 with Visa stamped but they left the original I-94 attached to the passport. They sent the original (new) I-797 along with the new I-94 (bottom right part) still attached to it but with no date stamp ("Valid Until Date").
So now I have two I-94, (old) one stapled to my passport with expired dates and the second (new) still attached to new I-797 but with no dates on it.
Now I want to apply for 7th year extention but my employer informed me that the attorney has raised concern over the date on my I-94 being expired and no valid dates stamped on my new I-94. According to the attorney I should first go to India and come back so that I have an I-94 with valid dates on it... otherwise it is risky business.... (Visit to Canada or Maxico does not get you new I-94). Also, I am told that there is no premium processing available for 7th year extention so I must wait for 3-4 months after applying before I know how did it go.
1) Do I really need to make a visit to India ? I have all old I-797s and other documents so I really don't see why ?
2) Is premium processing available for 7th year extention (like regular extention) ?
I would really appreciate a response on these questions.
Thank you very much.